Shutterstock

Name: Shutterstock
Brand: Shutterstock
Price: 29 USD
Rating: 4.4 (1196 reviews)

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Stock images, photos, and videos

Stock Assets AI Image Generation Graphic Design Image Editing

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4.4(1,196 across the web)

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Reviews onG2

1196 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Paid plans only

Biggest pro

Massive library

Biggest con

Expensive for heavy use

TL;DR - Shutterstock

Stock photo marketplace
Photos, videos, and music
Subscription or pay-per-download

Pricing: Paid only

Best for: Enterprises & pros

4.4/5 across review platforms

What is Shutterstock?

Editorial review

Shutterstock is one of the world's largest libraries of stock images, videos, and music. Access over 400 million royalty-free assets for commercial use. Find high-quality photos, illustrations, vectors, and 4K video clips. Advanced AI search helps you find exactly what you need. Shutterstock offers flexible plans from on-demand credits to enterprise subscriptions. Includes AI image generation and editing tools.

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourceshutterstock.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Massive library
High quality content
Editorial content
Flexible licensing

Cons

Expensive for heavy use
Common images overused
Complex pricing

Ratings Across the Web

4.4(1,196 reviews)

G21,196 reviews

4.4/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Stock photographyVideo clipsMusic libraryAI image generationEditorial contentEnterprise licensing

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Jul 11, 2026

On-demand

$49

5 images
Never expires
Standard license

Subscription

$29/month

10 images/month
Standard license
Rollover unused

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Shutterstock worth the price?

65/100

Shutterstock's pricing is on the expensive side for individual users, especially the On-demand option at $49 for just 5 images.

The Subscription at $29/month for 10 images offers better value with rollover, but still higher than some competitors. This pricing is best for small businesses or individuals with consistent, but not high-volume, image needs.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Extended licenses cost extra

Video/music separate subscriptions

Team plans have higher per-seat costs

How Shutterstock Compares to Competitors

Compared to Adobe Stock, Shutterstock's subscription is slightly more expensive; Adobe offers 10 assets/month for $29.99, but often with more flexible asset types. For budget users, Freepik offers a premium subscription for around $15/month with unlimited downloads, making Shutterstock's $29/month for 10 images less competitive for high volume.

How Shutterstock's pricing compares

At $29/mo, Shutterstock is mid-range of its 5 direct competitors ($9 to $29/mo across the set).

$10

$10

$12.99

Shutterstock

$29

Designs.ai

$29

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jul 11, 2026.

Reviews

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4.4/5

Across 1,196 verified user reviews on G2

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Best Shutterstock Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

CanvaFreemium

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CrelloFreemium

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PhotoRoomFreemium

AI photo editing for product images

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Designs.aiFreemium

AI-powered creative suite for branding and marketing

4.3

ClipdropPaid

AI-powered image editing and generation tools

See all stock assets tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Shutterstock vs CanvaHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Shutterstock vs CrelloHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Shutterstock vs PhotoRoomHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Shutterstock FAQ

How does Shutterstock support graphic design workflows?

Shutterstock provides access to over 400 million royalty-free assets including high-quality photos, illustrations, and vectors, which are essential for graphic design projects. It also offers AI image generation and editing tools to further enhance creative work.

How does Shutterstock compare to Canva for accessing stock assets?

Shutterstock offers a massive library of over 400 million royalty-free stock images, videos, and music, emphasizing high-quality content and flexible licensing. While Canva also provides design tools, Shutterstock's primary focus is on its extensive and diverse collection of stock assets.

What are the main trade-offs when choosing Shutterstock?

A primary trade-off for Shutterstock users is that it can be expensive for heavy use, and its pricing structure is noted as complex. Additionally, some common images within its vast library may be perceived as overused due to their widespread availability.

Which teams would benefit most from using Shutterstock?

Teams involved in graphic design, marketing, and content creation would benefit from Shutterstock's extensive library of stock images, videos, and music. Its high-quality content and flexible licensing options support diverse commercial use cases.

How is Shutterstock priced?

Shutterstock is a paid product and does not include a permanently free tier. It offers flexible pricing plans ranging from on-demand credits for individual asset purchases to comprehensive enterprise subscriptions for larger organizations.

Can Shutterstock generate new images using AI?

Yes, Shutterstock includes AI image generation capabilities as part of its features. This allows users to create new visual content in addition to accessing its existing library of stock assets.

Does Shutterstock offer editorial content?

Yes, Shutterstock provides editorial content in addition to its commercial stock assets. This expands its utility for users who require images for news, documentary, or other non-commercial editorial purposes.

Source: shutterstock.com

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